Kim Van Hoorenbeeck assistant professor

Research Kim Van Hoorenbeeck

Research team

Expertise

Pediatric pulmonology: asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, BPD, infections, sleep related breathing disorders Obesity and metabolic syndrome in children

Surveillance of RSV Evolution: Unravelling RSV Dynamics in the Era of Novel Prophylactics. 01/11/2024 - 31/10/2026

Abstract

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is, globally, a prominent cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) in both infants and the elderly. Recently, two vaccines and one monoclonal antibody (mAb) have been developed and approved for use in these populations. It is expected that the new mAb (Nirsevimab) will be widely administered to children under two years old in the upcoming RSV seasons. The extensive use of this prophylactic could induce unexpected changes in RSV infection and resistance mechanisms, as observed on a smaller scale worldwide with the use of the older and widely used mAb, palivizumab. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the evolution of RSV and predict potential mutations that may occur under the selective pressure exerted by these mAbs, posing a real threat to the efficacy of available preventive measures. Hence, the comprehensive approach presented in this project will enhance our understanding of how prophylactic measures may influence RSV evolution, providing valuable insights for public health strategies and preparedness against emerging RSV strains.

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  • Research Project

REspiratory Virus Repository ANTwerp. 01/09/2024 - 31/08/2025

Abstract

With this project, we will establish a Respiratory Virus Repository at the University of Antwerp. The collection of respiratory viruses will be available to companies, academic groups, and research institutions.

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  • Research Project

The interaction between viral infections and the airway microbiome in young cystic fibrosis patients. 01/10/2023 - 30/09/2027

Abstract

Introduction: Most children are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at a young age, nowadays often through neonatal screening. CF is associated with frequent respiratory tract infections. These exacerbations are often viral induced at a young age. Frequent airway infections lead to early colonization of the airways with pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, infection leads to inflammation and dysregulation of the mucus production via mucin upregulation. The result is disease progression with destruction of the normal airway structure and lung tissue. Objectives: To gain insights into the mechanisms by which viral infections leading to respiratory exacerbations induce a more pathogenic airway microbiome in young children with CF, from birth to preschool age, through airway inflammation and mucin regulation. This will help formulate informed treatment strategies both at the level of pathogenic as well as potentially beneficial microbiota members in the CF airways. Methods: Young children with CF from birth to the age of 5 years will be included at CF clinic in UZA. Oropharyngeal swabs will be collected at set time points in a longitudinal way to study the dynamics of the airway microbiome and inflammatory markers and mucins. At the moment of exacerbations extra swabs will be collected to investigate the interactions of viruses and bacteria and their influence on increased inflammation and mucin production. These data will be linked to clinical outcome measures such as lung clearance index and questionnaires on quality of life. The final part of the project exists of an in vitro study investigating the effects of specific CF respiratory microbiota members as such or in combination with viruses on TLR induction, transcriptional factor activation, cytokine and interferon signalling stimulation, and ultimately on the virus-associated infection and cytopathic effects.

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  • Research Project

REspiratory Virus Repository ANTwerp (ReViRAnt). 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2024

Abstract

With this project, we will establish a Respiratory Virus Repository at the University of Antwerp. The collection of respiratory viruses will be available to companies, academic groups, and research institutions.

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  • Research Project

The COCCOS study: A CO-design study for developing, implementing and evaluating a transition program for young people with Chronic COnditionS. 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2025

Abstract

The survival rates of children with chronic conditions have increased markedly over the past decades. Hence, many of them have a fair chance of reaching adulthood thanks to advanced treatment options. However, these patients are in need of life-long specialized care addressing their specific healthcare needs at each respective stage of their life. During adolescence, these patients are expected to transfer their care from the pediatric environment towards an adult-focused setting. To prevent an abrupt and unprepared transfer of care, it is recommended to provide these patients education, counselling and guidance through a transition program. The goal of a transition program is to prepare adolescents for the challenges faced in adulthood and adult healthcare. Although preliminary data suggest that structured transition programs are associated with increased patient satisfaction, self-care, self-advocacy, and psycho-social functioning, high quality studies on the impact of such programs are scarce. The first aim of this study is to develop a prototype of a multidisciplinary transition program for young patients with diabetes type I, asthma or obesity, using an experience-based co-design methodology. Next, the project will evaluate the impact of this program prototype in terms of clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and user experiences in adolescents and their families.

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  • Research Project

Insights into viral and bacterial colonisation of the lower respiratory tract in cystic fibrosis patients through metagenomic sequencing and multiplex qPCR. 01/04/2022 - 31/03/2023

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) causes impaired mucociliary clearance in the airways and stasis of mucus, leading to chronic infection and inflammation. Increasing evidence suggests a role for the entire microbial community to orchestrate the course of airway infections in CF, including beneficial microorganisms with anti-pathogenic and immunomodulatory properties. It is thus important to perform high resolution microbiome sequencing of the entire respiratory microbiome that can shed light on the interplay of a wide range of microorganisms inhabiting the airways in CF patients. Most of the current CF microbiome studies are done using 16S amplicon sequencing. However, 16S amplicon sequencing is not always able to identify up to the bacterial species or strain level. This poses an important research gap since pathogenicity and probiotic potential of microbiota members are often expressed at strain level. Shotgun sequencing is recently emerging as an alternative for respiratory microbiome sequencing and has the advantage to detect bacterial taxa at species or even strain level and potentially also gain insight into the functional genes within the respiratory microbiome. In contrast to 16S amplicon sequencing, the shotgun method implies sequencing of all DNA within a sample, both human and microbial. Finally, no viruses can be identified using the 16S amplicon sequencing technique that specifically focuses on bacteria. This is important as respiratory exacerbations, especially in young children, are viral induced. We aim to implement shotgun sequencing in comparison with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to gain detailed insights into the lower respiratory tract microbiome in CF and its link with viruses. To reach this goal, we aim to (1) optimize and implement shotgun metagenomic sequencing for LRT sputum samples in parallel with 16S sequencing, and (2) align the sequencing data with multiplex qPCR for virus detection.

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  • Research Project

Lower airway pathology in children with Down syndrome. 01/10/2020 - 31/12/2021

Abstract

Introduction: Literature regarding respiratory pathology in children with Down Syndrome (DS) mentions that these problems often arise and cause significant morbidity. However, research is scarce and often very heterogenous. The aim of this study is to give an overview on respiratory pathology in children with DS and the relevant comorbities (such as, congenital airway anomalies, immune deficiencies, obstructive sleep apnea and chronic aspiration). Methodology: - Literature: systematic review on chronic airway disease in DS - Retrospective: data collection on all airway endoscopic procedures in children with DS and respiratory problems (2011 to 2019). Comparison will be made with children without underlying disease - Prospective: in all patients with DS undergoing airway endoscopy bronchoalveolar lavage will be examined for markers associated with chronic aspiration - Prospective: immunological screening will be done in all patients with DS and compared with reference values, full work up will be done on clinical grounds

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  • Research Project